NPG Saturday, November 12, 2016

NPG Saturday, November, 12, 2016

After a NY Fern Society meeting, Ellen and I took an impromptu walk through much of the Garden, where excessive numbers of White Snake Root have gone to seed, giving me a chance to practice the new name, Ageratina altissima, (thanks to Carol Levine for telling me). Staying on topic of this Blog, and because Michael P. asked what would be blooming for his NPG tour in two weeks (unfortunately, most of the lovely seedheads of the grasses have blown away), here's my observation of what is of interest, and photos I took in the Native Plant Garden.  It was a cool, sunny, lovely day and I was pleased, and surprised, that we walked for two hours.

Unexpectedly, while putting this blog together, I agreed to do a GROUP tour on Thursday, Nov. 17 of the Native Plant Garden.  It is seldom that a group request is one I am capable of doing.

Carol and John Mickel at the Fern Society deserve recognition. All are invited to the monthly meetings.

Although the bright purple Asters were spread like a running stream in the Meadow, most of what you would be looking at elsewhere would be single leftover flowers.

Asters in the Meadow

Rudbeckia triloba which even has usually unnoticable signage, still showing a lot of flowers.

Rudbeckia triloba

Two sweet pale pink Sabatia kennedyiana Plymouth Rose Gentian showing in their same position to the right of the boardwalk.

Plymouth Rose Gentian Sabatia kennedyiana

Leaves galore in the water feature, a job waiting for a wading gardener.

Ladies' Tresses have turned out to be hardy and lovely, and inserting themselves in new areas. But their neighbors Pitcher Plants are not likely to move (a guess on my part).

Ladies' Tresses Spiranthes

Pitcher Plants Sarracenia

A best friend, Wild Bleeding Heart, still there for show and tell. I think the longest blooming season of all the NPG plants, April and still through November.

Wild Bleeding Heart Dicentra eximia 

See, the orange berries of 'Winter Gold' Ilex verticillata, sit tight on the shrub, not desired until urgent needed as food for the birds.

Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold'

It took some discussion to convince the difference between the bare branches of Azalea and Blueberries Vaccinium.  That old helpful means of identification: WHERE is it, not just WHAT is it.

Azalea buds

A few New York Ironweed Vernonia showing dark purple but not for long. White Wood Aster browning but there.
And neither of us could come up with the name of the very large green leaves lying flat just behind the sign that reads: harlequin blueflag  Iris Versicolor 'Cat Moussan.'

know these leaves?
Glade Mallow Napaea dioica